Crackzel Pretzel Pieces

These salty pretzel snacks are just one example of cultural (and culinary) exchange between Germany and Türkiye. Germany’s most popular street food is the Turkish döner kebab, while Turkish citizens have taken a liking to pretzels. The classic German pretzel is actually very similar to a traditional Turkish bread called simit, which is a ring-shaped bread that looks like a cross between a bagel and pretzel. Like pretzels, simit comes in both soft and crunchy varieties. While simit is available in bakeries and cafes across Türkiye, fresh pretzels are not common. Instead, Turks enjoy packaged pretzels as a convenient, on-the-go snack that can be purchased from convenience stores and gas stations. These crunchy garlic bread pretzels are salty, savory, and packed with flavor. They’re delicious eaten plain, but can also be dipped in hummus or served as part of a Turkish mezze platter alongside meats, cheese, and olives.